O.c. Cafe Food Price Going Up

Orange County employees and visitors who dine at the O.C. Cafe in the county Administration Center will begin forking over more money on Monday.

Prices will go up on some food items because the small cafeteria has failed to produce the profits predicted by county officials earlier this year.

The county jail took over operation of the O.C. Cafe in January and projected almost $60,000 a year in profits, using free inmate labor. Six work-release inmates cook and clean while receiving training in the culinary arts.

But in the first nine months, the cafe made only $2,500 in profit.

Beginning Monday, customers will be charged 6 percent sales tax, which had been included in prices, along with paying more for meals and snacks.

The price increases will be modest, county officials said, adding that the cafe will continue to offer bargain meals. For example, the daily special with a meat dish, two vegetables, rolls, salad and drink used to cost $3.25. The new price: $3.65.

Deputy County Administrator Byron Brooks said the county will not allow the cafe to operate at a deficit and would close it down if it did.

Several operators have faced difficulties in making money off the cafe. Morrison's Cafeteria abandoned the operation last year, months after reports that the cafe was infested with rats.

The inmate-run operation has received praise for good food, good service and cleanliness by county employees and commissioners.

The county wants to make more money, partly because cafe profits are used to fund other programs, such as an arts competition among county employees.